A significant increase in salmonella cases has brought a warning from the state Health Department to cook eggs and chicken thoroughly before eating them. Health officials issue
warning on salmonellaHealth Department labs confirmed 10 cases of salmonella enteritis, a bacterial infection of the intestines, in the past two days.
The department said 37 cases have been reported since Aug. 15 -- making the total more than the 38 cases reported for all of last year.
No deaths have been associated with the cases reported, but the infection can result in severe diarrhea and fever, and can be fatal for the elderly and those with compromised immune systems.
The bacteria is found in poultry and enters the egg before the shell forms.
Thorough cooking destroys the bacteria.
The first link between salmonella enteritis and eggs appeared in 1989 in the United States.
An increase in the illness has been reported across the country, but this is the first significant increase in Hawaii cases.
Yamashiro: No taxes will pay for irradiator
HILO -- An irradiator to sterilize fruit fly larvae in fruits intended for shipping to the mainland would be paid for with private money, Big Island Mayor Stephen Yamashiro said yesterday.That position was not new, but Yamashiro said he was repeating the information to counter false statements in the community that taxpayer money would be used.
Yamashiro quoted a letter from Isomedix Inc., which would build the irradiator, which said the facility "will in no way be dependent upon receipt of any financial support from the state, local or federal government."
Big Islanders will vote in November on a measure proposed by opponents that will attempt to ban the facility.
BOE candidates will be at Monday public forum
Hear Board of Education candidates' views on education at a public forum from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday at the state Capitol Auditorium.The forum is sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii and the Hawaii Business Round-table.
'Olelo will broadcast the forum live on Channel 52. It will be re-aired on Channel 54 at 3 p.m. Oct. 21 and 5 p.m. Oct. 24.
XXXcb,12p Abercrombie, Ward will
debate on TV on Oct. 25
Democrat incumbent Neil Abercrombie and Republican opponent Rep. Gene Ward, running in the 1st Congressional District (urban Honolulu) of the U.S. House, will debate at 7 p.m. Oct. 25 on NBC Hawaii News 8.
Adoption conference features national expert
Nationally recognized psychotherapist and adoptive mother Dee Paddock will answer the question "Are you my mother?" at the First Annual HAPA Adoption Conference Nov. 4-5.Paddock will share advice on the lifelong journey of adoption in a free talk from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 4, at the Queen Liliuokalani Children's Center Honolulu Unit.
An all-day conference featuring a host of local adoption experts will take place 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 5 at the Japanese Cultural Center. Cost is $25, which includes breakfast and lunch.
For information, call Kristine Altwies at 377-0881 or 271-2032.
'Drug Crazy' author will speak at free forum
Mike Gray, author of the screenplay "The China Syndrome" and more recently the book "Drug Crazy: How We Got into This Mess and How We Can Get Out of It," will discuss the effects of the drug war at a free forum 7 p.m. Oct. 29.Gray's "Drug Crazy" analyzes and criticizes current government policies and questions the outcome of the country's war on drugs.
Hawaii's Deputy Attorney General Ricky R. Damerville and Dan Bent, former U.S. attorney for Hawaii, who both favor continued prohibition, will join Gray in the discussion.
The event, sponsored by the Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii, will take place in Classroom 2 of the University of Hawaii Law School.
For more information on the forum, call Don Topping at 988-4386.
See expanded coverage in today's Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
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Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffElectrical short blamed for fire in Waikiki today
Fire investigators determined that an electrical short caused the fire that scorched a business in the Bank of Hawaii building in Waikiki this morning.The blaze started in Room 1408 of the building at 2222 Kalakaua Ave. at 3:08 a.m., fire officials said. It was under control in 28 minutes.
Police said the business is registered to Mike Miller Inc.
No injuries were reported, and no one was inside the building, police said.
Fire officials estimated about $100,000 damage to the contents and $5,000 to the structure.
Triple-robbery suspects linked to parking lot heist
The two Salt Lake men arrested Thursday for the robbery of a florist, barbershop and Jack-in-the-Box have been connected to Monday's robbery of an Ala Moana Hotel parking lot attendant, police said.The men, 22 and 26, were arrested after being identified in a field lineup.
The suspects each face charges of at least four counts of first-degree robbery.
Woman claims photographer drugged, assaulted her
Police yesterday arrested a 46-year-old man in connection with the sexual assault of a 19-year-old woman in August.The woman went to the suspect's business establishment at Pearl City Industrial Park on Aug. 25 for a photo shoot, police said. During the shoot, the suspect gave the woman a drink.
Police said the drink made the woman "mentally incapacitated," and she was then allegedly sexually assaulted by the suspect and his assistant.
The suspect was arrested yesterday after police searched his home and business. He was booked for second and third-degree sexual assault.
In other news . . .
HILO -- Police found two dozen punji sticks -- sharpened sticks in the ground designed to pierce feet -- during a marijuana eradication operation at Waipunalei north of Hilo yesterday, they said. No one was injured. Police seized 2,502 marijuana plants.
A 27-year-old woman was sentenced yesterday to 20 days in jail and one year of probation for fraudulent use of two tourists' credit cards and theft in the third and fourth degree. IN COURT
Woman guilty in fraud trial
By Susan Kreifels, Star-BulletinLisa Reeves pleaded guilty in the state District Court. A charge of criminal contempt for not showing up on time for her initial court appearance was dropped.
The state had asked for 60 days in jail. But Jim Fulton, executive assistant to the city prosecutor, said the sentencing was an "absolutely positive step in the right direction."
Crimes against tourists have been difficult to prosecute because visitors often don't want to return to testify in court.
"It sends a message that we're going to do everything we can, whether it's a petty misdemeanor or a major felony, about crimes against tourists."
The tourists lost their credit cards in September while they were on Waikiki Beach.
Reeves has been in jail for about two weeks. She was jailed for failing to show up at court on time.
See expanded coverage in today's Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
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